Research Article

Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies

Volume: 23 Number: 3 October 1, 2026
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Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies

Abstract

Aim: Optimal biopsy site selection during colposcopy remains controversial, and evidence regarding the anatomical distribution of cervical intraepithelial lesions is limited. We investigated the spatial distribution of cervical lesions and compared the diagnostic performance of colposcopy-directed and random four-quadrant biopsies. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 514 women who underwent colposcopy for HPV positivity and/or abnormal cervical cytology between January 2022 and March 2026. A total of 1,415 cervical biopsy specimens were analyzed. Lesion distribution was evaluated using chi-square goodness-of-fit testing and circular statistical methods, including Rayleigh and axial Rayleigh analyses. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were applied to account for multiple biopsies obtained from the same patient. Results: HPV16 infection was independently associated with both CIN1+ and HSIL+ lesions. Cervical lesions were not clustered around a single clock position but demonstrated a significant anterior–posterior anatomical distribution (axial Rayleigh test, both p<0.001). In multivariable GEE analysis, anterior–posterior lesion localization independently increased the likelihood of HSIL+ (adjusted OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.12–2.01), while HPV16 remained an independent predictor (adjusted OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.56–4.99). At the patient level, detection rates of CIN1+ and HSIL+ were comparable between targeted and random biopsy strategies. However, lesion-level analysis demonstrated superior diagnostic efficiency for colposcopy-directed biopsy, with higher detection of CIN1+ (adjusted OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.06–1.96) and HSIL+ (adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.02–2.47). Targeted biopsy also required substantially fewer biopsies to detect one clinically significant lesion. Conclusions: Cervical intraepithelial lesions exhibit a preferential anterior–posterior anatomical distribution rather than clustering at isolated clock positions. Although colposcopy-directed biopsy provides greater diagnostic efficiency for individual lesions, random biopsy contributes additional patient-level case detection in selected high-risk women. Integrating lesion morphology, HPV genotype, and anatomical lesion distribution may optimize individualized biopsy strategies and improve the diagnostic performance of colposcopy. Keywords: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; Colposcopy; Cervical biopsy; HPV16; Spatial distribution; Circular statistics.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors received no specific funding for this work.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kütahya Health Sciences University (Approval No: 2025/13-12) and was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Thanks

The authors thank all healthcare professionals who contributed to the colposcopy procedures and data collection.

References

  1. World Health Organization. Cervical cancer. Updated December 2, 2025. Accessed June 18, 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/ detail/cervical-cancer

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 1, 2026

Submission Date

July 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

September 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 23 Number: 3

APA
İscan, S. C., Uzman Cuma, E. Ç., Zambak, A. B., Erbakırcı, N. M., & Akkuş, F. (2026). Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, 23(3), 346-355. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1998965
AMA
1.İscan SC, Uzman Cuma EÇ, Zambak AB, Erbakırcı NM, Akkuş F. Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23(3):346-355. doi:10.38136/jgon.1998965
Chicago
İscan, Serhan Can, Emine Çağla Uzman Cuma, Ahmet Burak Zambak, Nuh Mehmet Erbakırcı, and Fatih Akkuş. 2026. “Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 (3): 346-55. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1998965.
EndNote
İscan SC, Uzman Cuma EÇ, Zambak AB, Erbakırcı NM, Akkuş F (October 1, 2026) Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23 3 346–355.
IEEE
[1]S. C. İscan, E. Ç. Uzman Cuma, A. B. Zambak, N. M. Erbakırcı, and F. Akkuş, “Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies”, Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 346–355, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.38136/jgon.1998965.
ISNAD
İscan, Serhan Can - Uzman Cuma, Emine Çağla - Zambak, Ahmet Burak - Erbakırcı, Nuh Mehmet - Akkuş, Fatih. “Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi 23/3 (October 1, 2026): 346-355. https://doi.org/10.38136/jgon.1998965.
JAMA
1.İscan SC, Uzman Cuma EÇ, Zambak AB, Erbakırcı NM, Akkuş F. Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026;23:346–355.
MLA
İscan, Serhan Can, et al. “Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies”. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik Ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi, vol. 23, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 346-55, doi:10.38136/jgon.1998965.
Vancouver
1.Serhan Can İscan, Emine Çağla Uzman Cuma, Ahmet Burak Zambak, Nuh Mehmet Erbakırcı, Fatih Akkuş. Spatial Distribution of Cervical Intraepithelial Lesions and Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy-Directed versus Random Biopsies. Jinekoloji-Obstetrik ve Neonatoloji Tıp Dergisi. 2026 Oct. 1;23(3):346-55. doi:10.38136/jgon.1998965